Who steps forward for Gators at Tight End?

Three tight ends have led Florida in receiving since 2003 – Ben Troupe, Aaron Hernandez and Jordan Reed.

Three tight ends have led Florida in receiving since 2003 – Ben Troupe, Aaron Hernandez and Jordan Reed. While it’s unlikely to happen for the Gators this season, UF does have some tight ends who can do some damage to opposing defenses.

Troupe had 39 receptions for Ron Zook in 2003. Hernandez caught 68 passes for Urban Meyer in 2009. And Reed snared 45 for Will Muschamp in 2012 under Will Muschamp. That’s three different coaches who developed NFL talent at a position that was going the way of dinosaurs at one point in college football. In the 20 years before Troupe’s big season, only once – with Kirk Kirkpatrick catching 55 passes in Steve Spurrier’s first season in 1990 – did a tight end lead the Gators in receiving.

This season, tight end will be one of UF’s strongest positions, and junior DeAndre Goolsby should lead the way.

Going into the spring, the idea that Goolsby could be the biggest weapon in the passing game seemed far-fetched. Goolsby (6 feet 4, 240 pounds) can really move and is a terrific athlete, but his uninspired effort against Michigan in the Gators’ one-sided Citrus Bowl loss to Michigan left folks questioning his ability.